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Users doing illegal things

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by wmburg, Jul 7, 2006.

  1. #1
    Let's hypothetically say that I have a site that has different contests. One of the contests may require a participant to do something illegal in which they could get arrested for. Can I be held responsible in any way if I have a disclaimer? Any way around it if so?
     
    wmburg, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  2. Tyler Banfield

    Tyler Banfield Well-Known Member

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    #2
    What is the site and what kind of contests are you promoting...??
     
    Tyler Banfield, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  3. wmburg

    wmburg Active Member

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    #3
    It doesn't exist yet.
     
    wmburg, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  4. Jester

    Jester Well-Known Member

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    #4

    Why even risk it? I mean unless the headache of a threat is worth the gain.....why bother? :confused:

    Why not make them all LEGAL activities for the participants?

    J
     
    Jester, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  5. Tyler Banfield

    Tyler Banfield Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Exactly, you should be able to control what kind of contests get promoted on your site.
     
    Tyler Banfield, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  6. wmburg

    wmburg Active Member

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    #6
    There is a thin line between legal and illegal anymore. Can someone please answer my question?
     
    wmburg, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  7. wmburg

    wmburg Active Member

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    #7
    OT - Tyler, do you actually trade?
     
    wmburg, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  8. wrmineo

    wrmineo Peon

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    #8
    The fact that you believe that will not be a defense - it will only backfire.

    If you have a contest to see who can steal the most stop signs in a weekend even though a disclaimer might exist, does negate the fact that you're promoting an illegal activity which can lead to a whole string of charges, especially as it crosses state lines, involves minors ... and the list can only get worse.

    There is no such thing as a victimless crime ....
     
    wrmineo, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  9. TommyD

    TommyD Peon

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    #9
    Here is something you might think of...

    You don't have to do anything illegal to be found liable for a civil suit.

    tom
     
    TommyD, Jul 7, 2006 IP
    wrmineo likes this.
  10. Tyler Banfield

    Tyler Banfield Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Trade...as in stocks?
     
    Tyler Banfield, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  11. wmburg

    wmburg Active Member

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    #11
    Yes. Stocks, futures, whatever.
     
    wmburg, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  12. wrmineo

    wrmineo Peon

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    #12

    Great point Tom!

    Millions of dollars are being handed out everyday in suits .... myspace is currently being sued for $30,000,000 because a girl ran off from home to meet her cyber boyfriend.
     
    wrmineo, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  13. wmburg

    wmburg Active Member

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    #13
    Yeah you guys are right. Thanks for setting me straight!
     
    wmburg, Jul 7, 2006 IP
  14. sholiz

    sholiz Active Member

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    #14
    When I first read this it reminded me of a site kind of locally that was for breaking and entering and things of that sort.

    They never "stole" anything, just tresspassed. They ran a contest who could get into, and pictures of the most secure location. Taggers, and others participated in this.

    Sure enough law enforcement got wind, shut the site down, and supeoned information of everyone on the site. Not sure where it went from there, as that's all they supplied on the website until it was completely shut down.

    But I remember reading in the local paper of a string of people getting arrested for breaking and entering or tresspassing.
     
    sholiz, Jul 7, 2006 IP